House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 27 May 1678

Lunæ, 27 die Martii, 1678.

Insolvent Debtors.

A BILL for Relief and Release of poor Prisoners for Debt, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Burying in Woolen.

A Bill for Burying in Woolen, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Preventing Champerty, &c.

A Bill for the better preventing of Maintenance, and buying pretending Titles, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Exporting Leather.

A Bill for reviving and continuing a former Act for exporting Leather, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Keels, &c. carrying Coals.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for admeasuring Keels and Boats carrying Coals.

Bankrupts.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Laws concerning Bankrupts; and to consider of the Defects therein; and to provide more effectual Means for Discovery of their Estates; and to take care that it may not be in the Power of any particular Creditor, or small Number of them, to obstruct the Composition of the Generality of the Creditors; and to bring in a Bill for that Purpose.

And it is referred to Mr. Papillon, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Wm. Thompson, Col. Birch, Mr. Powle, Mr. Strangewayes, Mr. Buller, Mr. Jones, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Garraway, Serjeant Gregory, Sir Cop. Bamfield, Sir John Knight, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Treby, Sir Rich. Temple, Sir John Rolls, Sir Rich. Everard, Sir Rob. Dillington, Sir Rich. Corbet, Mr. Williams, Mr. Man, Mr. Foote, Sir Trevor Williams, and all the Gentlemen of the Long Robe, and all the Merchants, or any Five of them: And they are to meet, at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Hawkers, Pedlars, &c.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better suppressing Hawkers, Pedlars, and Petty Chapmen.

Vote respecting the Army.

Resolved, &c. That the House, taking into Consideration the State of his Majesty's Affairs, and the great Charge and Burthen that his Majesty and the Nation lies under by the Army now in being, are humbly of an Opinion, That, if his Majesty pleases to enter into a War against the French King, this House is and always will be ready to support and assist him in that War: But if otherwise, then they will proceed to the Consideration of providing for the speedy Disbanding of the Army.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty Privy Council, do present this Vote to his Majesty.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.